JAMMU: Five Army soldiers were martyred and two others were injured in an encounter with the terrorists at Dhatyar Morh between Dera Ki Gali and Bufliaz falling under the in Poonch district of Jammu on Thursday late afternoon.
Three to four terrorists are believed to have taken positions atop the hill from where they targeted the Army vehicles which had to slow down their speed at the blind curve and bumpy road. A civilian dumper was also caught in the firing.
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Official sources have not ruled out the possibility of the Army Jawans engaging in hand-to-hand combat with terrorists during confrontation.
This was fourth major encounter/attack in Rajouri and Poonch districts this year in which 20 soldiers have lost their lives. They included two Captains. In all four attacks, five soldiers each have been martyred.
FLASH: Five Army soldiers were martyred and two others were injured in an encounter with the terrorists at Dhatyar Morh between Dera Ki Gali and Bufliaz falling under the in #Poonch district of #Jammu on Thursday late afternoon.#Terroristattack #JammuKashmir
Reports:…— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) December 22, 2023
According to Indian Army officials “ Troops were conducting search operations in Dera Ki Gali area since Wednesday night. At about 3.45 pm on Thursday, two Army vehicles carrying troops and moving towards operational site, were fired upon by the terrorists.
Army immediately retaliated the fire. In the ongoing operation, three soldiers were martyred and three others were injured,” the officials said, adding drivers of both the vehicles including one Gypsy and a truck, were among the dead.
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An ongoing operation in the general area of Dera ki Gali (DKG), Rajouri, initiated on the night of December 20, faced a critical development. At approximately 3:45 PM on December 21, two army vehicles transporting troops to… pic.twitter.com/OTF4C5kfBe
— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) December 21, 2023
Four martyred soldiers have been identified as Naik Birendra Singh, Naik Driver Karan Kumar, Rifleman Chandan Kumar and Rifleman Gautam Kumar. Identity of fifth martyr could not be ascertained immediately.
Dead and injured were immediately shifted from the spot and taken to hospital. Injured have been airlifted to the Command Hospital Udhampur. Dera Ki Gali road has been closed for traffic to facilitate searches. More troops have also been rushed to the spot.